State library system purges accounts of inactive users

The Hawaii State Public Library System is cleaning up its computer database this month, and is purging the accounts of patrons who have not borrowed library materials in the past three years.

Library users may reactivate their accounts, at no cost, by visiting their local library and filling out a new application form, with valid identification.

The updating effort is designed to remove the records of patrons who have left the state, and improve the efficiency of the database.

Current library users should not be affected by the clean-up. Patrons who use their library cards only for access to the libraries' Internet stations, and do not actually borrow materials, may also find their accounts purged. They can reactivate them at no charge.

THE GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND

In addition, checks made out
to the Good Neighbor Fund
(not cash or gifts) can be
dropped off at any of First
Hawaiian Bank's 56 statewide
branches.

Clothing, household items
and gifts can be donated at the
Community Clearinghouse,
2100 N. Nimitz Highway. To
arrange for pickup of large
items, call 536-7234.

You may also participate in
the Adopt-A-Family program, in
which businesses, employee
groups, social clubs, families or
individuals can help a specific
family. For information, call 536-7234, ext. 804.

Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin staff

WINDWARD OAHU

BARRY MARKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN
Hauula resident Bryan Akina, driven on an all-terrain vehicle by neighbor Boy Maiava, shared information from his early morning search yesterday for 58-year old Barbara Whaley, missing for three days off the Maakua Trail.

Search to resume for diabetic woman lost on Hauula hiking trail

The search was expected to resume this morning for a 58-year-old woman who went hiking Thanksgiving morning in Hauula and didn't return, police said.

Barbara Whaley was last seen at a Hauula home about 10 a.m. on Thursday. At 10:45 a.m., she called a friend and said she was on the Hauula Loop Trail. She has not been heard from since.

Firefighters, police and volunteers searched the trail on foot and by air Friday and yesterday.

Police missing-persons investigator Phil Camero said firefighters found Whaley's medications about three-fourths up the trail about 11:30 a.m. yesterday. They centered their search in that area through the afternoon, but found no other personal effects.

Their search was also hampered by bad weather.

Camero said Whaley is a diabetic, has heart problems and recently had knee surgery. She has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and moved to the islands from Oregon in September.

Whaley's cell phone was turned off on Thanksgiving day and has not been turned back on since, Camero said.

"Because of her physical health and her medical conditions, we are very concerned," Camero said, adding that Whaley had never been on the Hauula trail before setting out on Thanksgiving.

He said the trail is designed for novice hikers, but is very wooded.

Whaley is described as being 5-foot-1 and weighing about 180 pounds, with short, gray hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a peach-colored T-shirt and blue denim pants.

Anyone with information on Whaley is asked to call Camero at 584-4444 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

HONOLULU

Ex-HPD officer faces another drug charge

A former Honolulu police officer has been charged with promoting a dangerous drug, just one month after being put on five years' probation for the same crime.

Rogelio Mata was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of third-degree drug promotion and possession of drug paraphernalia. Three others were also arrested in the raid of an apartment at 1746 Kamehameha IV Road.

Mata's bail was set at $100,000.

In October, acting Circuit Judge David Lo sentenced Mata to five years' probation after he plead guilty to promoting a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia and a handgun.

At his sentencing, the 62-year-old Mata told Lo, "I will never do it again," and said that he took "full responsibility for using drugs."

In 1991, Mata was also convicted of conspiracy for his role in a Hawaii Kai burglary ring. Prosecutors said he used the information he had gathered as a police officer to identify homes to burglarize. Mata served 10 years in prison for that case and was released in 2002.

Brawl outside club leaves 3 men injured

A 19-year-old man was critically injured and two others sustained blows to the head after being attacked outside a Honolulu nightclub early yesterday, police said.

The fight started about 4:30 a.m. and police are looking for three suspects in connection with the case. They had no descriptions of the men.

Police said they were called to the Venus Nite Club hours before the attack to remove the three victims from the premises because they were allegedly harassing staff and security.

After the attack, the 19-year-old was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition with a head injury.

Two others injured in the attack, a 36-year-old and a 39-year-old, were also taken to the hospital with head injuries.